Peri Gilpin

The daughter of radio personality Jim O'Brien, Gilpin began her performing career on his show. She studied theater at the Dallas Theatre Center, where Chantal Westerman, later a "Good Morning America" show business correspondent, was house manager. After college, she attended the British-American Academy in London. When she returned to the US, she worked as a make-up artist in Dallas, before deciding to pursue acting. The novice landed an apprenticeship at the Williamstown Theatre Festival which led to regional theater and off-off-Broadway productions. In the late 1980s, Gilpin relocated to L.A. and began her TV career. She eventually appeared in guest spots on series including "Matlock," "D...